Literature Books

I used this book with my 8 year old. It was simple enough so that he could follow along while I read yet specific enough so that he could relate and get a sense that he was not alone in being anxious and how to go about feeling better. It had enough humor to keep a child interested yet not so much humor that the child felt like his worries were being made fun of. It helped me to learn new ways to help my child when he was worried. Before I would say that things would be ok. That didn't help. With new tools, I can help him calm down and build skills he can use for the rest of his life.

This book gave my 8 year old the tools necessary to understand and combat her worries. Within a week, we saw an amazing transformation in her ability to manage her worries as well as her body's reaction to those worries. Excellent resource.

This book was just what our family needed. My seven year old couldn't get enough of it. We saw a difference almost immediately. It helped her gain control of what she thought were impossible situations. We still re-read the book as needed. She was diagnosed with OCD recently, but because of the book, she already had a firm foundation for fighting her "worry bullies", and responded dramatically to therapy. I would recommend this book for all kids - from the ones that have just run of the mill anxieties to sudden on-set anxiety caused by a traumatic change to kids that have serious anxiety related disorders.

This is a terrific book -- I use it with my 6-year-old, who really engages with it. It addresses the origins of worries & strategies for controlling worries, all in a very kid-approachable way. Each chapter ends with a space for the child to draw a picture of something related to his/her worries. The book has helped me talk more concretely and openly with my child about worrying.

If you are a parent of a child with anxiety, you know how it can feel like your family is held hostage by your child's worries! This book saved our family! It was recommended by our child's therapist and I just can't say enough about it. It is written for kids to understand, but it is not condescending so even an older child or teen would benefit from it. Several specific strategies are described in the book. We saw improvements almost immediately and within a month or two, our daughter had actually retrained her brain and she is now a different child. Now, if we see the anxiety coming, all we have to do is mention a few specific words and she is back on track!

Hat's off to Mr. Elliott for putting together such a true to life story about young boys coming of age after WWII . He takes you back in time to when life was simple but harder . A story about an area and time not so much different from my own childhood in the midwest .Sedwick had me asking myself , why I hadn't talked to my own father more about his own WWII experiences when I had the chance The book is filled with elements of both joy and sadness .Along with some thoughts to live by.I found a lot of pleasure in reading this book, and I hope to find out how John Walters does in life as an adult .

I lived in Mr. Elliot's geographical and emotional era, and shared with many others his source of inspiration. The elders of our era greatly affected our lives, as they had fought the great wars, and lived through the great depression.

Ray does an excellent job of describing the feelings of those who lived through those times. His local descriptions are true to his early formative years, both in the people and the farms and small villages that surrounded him. Reading this book reveals an insight into the source of the values of people who live in mid-America.

As I read the book, I kept thinking about Thomas Wolfe's "You Can't Go Home Again", as the style of melding autobiography and fiction is similar. Not only is the style similar, the quality of descriptive passages and the expression of personal philosophy urges the reader to become personally involved in the book.

Ray shows us through this work that our lives today are not that much different from the 1950's, it was just that our lives now move at such a much faster pace and those threats that seemed so far away back then are now much closer and personal.

Just as the general store that is presented in this book is now torn down, and the bridges described are replaced by modern structures, this way of life is also gone. Read this book to learn what formed all of us into what we have become, and discover more about our common roots. The people that are described are the people that helped make America great, the people who helped secure our liberty in the past.

Ray Elliott's novel brought to life many characters and events from my roots and childhood experiences in a similar Midwest rural environment. Vivid characterizations made the storyline especially poignant for me. I heard the author speak in the fall of 2005 @ The Memphis Peabody Hotel on a panel with Larry Heinemann and Ron Kovic (who was connected via a conference phone line) during a James Jones Literary Society symposium. The author's empathetic and perceptive analysis of people, places and events from WWII through the Vietnam era were astounding. I highly recommend this novel and I look very forward to Mr. Elliott's next novel which I understand gives a treatment to the characters and drama of Iwo Jima.

With „Wild Hands Toward the Sky" Elliott closes the circle from Mailers „The Naked and the Dead" and James Jones` „The Thin Red Line". He shows us the fears, hopes, feelings and problems of those who stayed home and those who came back from WWII. For me, as a student of American Studies in Frankfurt, Germany, „Wild Hands Toward the Sky" also gave me an excellent insight to language of the Midwest.

Ray Elliot's novel is an interesting first work in very much the same way as James Jones's THEY SHALL INHERIT LAUGHTER. Although the style is more accomplished and even than his predecessor's first unpublished work, WILD HANDS TOWARD THE SKY perhaps contains too much descriptive detail rather than a distinctive voice the author should work towards. But, despite containing problems affecting every novelist's first work, WILD HANDS TOWARDS THE SKY remains memorable as a insightful chronicle of southern Illinois in the postwar period and a record of a lifestyle which will change as succeeding decades pass.

EllIot adopts a realistic style to narrate his own version of a touching "Bildungsroman" romance of a young boy who has has lost a father he never knew during World War Two and surrounded by a walking wounded community of survivors and bereaved relatives. Although one might see traces of Bobbie Ann Mason's IN COUNTRY, Elliot wisely avoids the "don't mean nothing" syndrome which can lead to ahistorical, postmodernist appropriation. The war has meant everything to its survivors who sympathize with the bereaved John Walter. Although they do not engage in "Phony War" stories, they act as moral guardians of a growing boy doing their utmost to deglamorize war using everyday, low key statements in the hope that he will learn indirectly from their experiences.

Southern Illinois is, of course, the home territory of James Jones whose influence casts a deep shadow over this novel both by reference to the man himself and the deep changes every character faces in the novel whether they have participated directly in the conflict or not. Ray Elliot charts his own direction but acknowledges indirectly the important role of his predecessor. WILD HANDS TOWARD THE SKY is an important novel of local history. Hopefully, it will represent the first in a series of works where the writer will explore themes more intuitively with the development of his own particular style which will come by constant practice over the years. This novel definitely represents a "first" and deserves acclaim as an important achievement in its own right. But a "first" often leads to much better things and this novel reveals a promise which the author will probably fulfil in his later works in the fullness of time.

What does it say of a reader who, as an adult, reads 'Winnie the Pooh' for the first time - and - and - feels it one of the best novels he ever read.
So pristine, so perfect - would I have appreciated it as a child? Who knows (I was too busy feeding my literary hunger with comics). Anyway I have my copy of 'Winnie the Pooh' on the top shelf of my book case, next to the others I consider great (Ulysses, 1984, Great Expectations ...) for all to see.
And who can contest that for "I am a bear of very little brain, and big things bother me".

My 2 1/2 year old loves this! It is soooo much better than letting her watch tv as this uses her imagination. I'm very happy I bought this.

This book was such a sweet little something to come home to at night. This book isn't just for kids, but for adults too! relax and enjoy!

This book is such a classic. I love reading it to my kids, no matter how many times they ask. (And as a homeschool mom of 4, I get asked a lot! I require it for kindergarten though.) And it gets even better the older you get. It is so funny and clever and wise and endearing. We see almost every personality type in the characters. Definitely a must-read, and if you can at all, own a copy of this book! (A good audio version is nice to have too--British accent a must!) It's on every children's book list I've seen, and with good reason--it's stood the test of time. The children in your life will thank you for introducing them to the original and still the best version of Winnie the Pooh.

My kids really like listening to this book. My husband and I can't stand the voice of Pooh Bear though. I think they want him to sound dumb but it can get a little painful. But since the kids love it so much I suffer through.

Adventure Bible, Revised, NIV This book arrived in exellent condition. It was exactly what I was looking for.
The 7 Day Mental Diet This book arrived in excellent condition. It was exactly what I was looking for.

I received book in excellent condition, a lot faster than I expected (within days). My son loves it!

Love the historical/background information. This is a good resource for helping today's kids identify with the Bible's historical figures, cultures, and lessons. Without completely altering the poetic language, it offers activities and ideas to improve comprehension and help children see the relevance of the text to their own lives.

I purchased this as a first bible for my 6 year old son. There are bursts of fast facts and passages paraphrased to make it easier for browsing. My son enjoys reading these and even for adults like myself, the background informations are helpful.
The generous amount of illustrations captures his attention and aids in his comprehension of certain passages of the bible.
I can surely say this is the best thing I've bought for my son.

We give this Bible to our third graders each year at our church. My son uses this Bible also. It is in easy to understand format which I really like. I sometimes use it for Sunday School teaching also.

A "must read" for any boy who craves adventure stories. No elves or dragons or monsters - just a real picture of life of a small boy on the Indiana frontier. If you enjoyed the Little House on the Prairie books you'll love this.

This is such a good book to share with modern Hoosier children. It gives them a taste of what life was like for some of the early pioneer children living in Indiana. I have read this book to my fouth grade classes for years, and they always love it.

The Bears of Blue River is a book I can heartily recommend parents to buy and read to their children. This book, about the many pioneer outdoors experiences of young Balser in the 1820's, is a great way to introduce youngsters to life in a simpler, yet challenging time. My children are captivated as they hang on every word of Balser's bear hunting exploits in the forests of the then-young State of Indiana. My Mother, who is 91 years of age, purchased the book for my young son, and wrote in the forward "Your Grandpa Wayne liked these stories when he was a boy". Eighty-five years later, his 12 year old and 4 year old grandsons are equally enthusiastic. Don't miss this one for your sons!

What a great book! My husband enjoyed the book when he was a boy. We shared it with our children. They loved it,too! Great adventures.

In 1953 I started first-grade in southern Indiana. My teacher, Pearl Monroe, read Charles Major's 1900 Bears of Blue River to us. She, also, read it to my father in a one-room school house. It was my favorite book. There was one sad part in the book where Mrs. Monroe always cried. She would have an older student finish the chapter. In about 1980, I read it to my kindergarten age son. I also cried when the Polly died in an explosion that killed the dreaded Fire Bear. About five years ago, in a used book store in Colorado. I read it to my father who was in his 80's. Together we enjoyed the memories it brought back. This year I started teaching fourth-grade at the Odessa Christian School here in Odessa, TX - having just retired after 21 years with the pubilc schools. I just finished reading this marvelous adventure story to my class. They all acclaimed that it was the best book they ever heard read. I highly recommend this book and the sequel, Uncle Tom Andy Bill. Donald Potter

This is a good book. I don't agree with all it says but that is ok it still has a lot of thought provoking information

This book is a great resource for any astronomy lover who wants to know more about the background and history of astronomy. It has lots of information on historical people in astronomy as well as great stories about their discoveries. Great book, must have for history of astronomy.

Excellent chronology of physics from Aristotle to the present. I will use it as a reference. Excellent index and other aids to finding what you want in physics and other sciences.

An Excellent exposition of the history of astronomy and astrophysics. Mr. Ferris writes with a lucidity and thouroughness not often found in books on this fascinating subject.

What a story! And yes, I said story because the author has taken subjects most of us take for granted (the size of the heavens, the age of the Earth, the intricacies of the atom) and turned these into a wonderful almost joyous tale of intellectual achievement. I am still stunned at the depth of scholarship, the vast research and the almost magical manner in which Ferris manages to make what appears to be an arcane dry topic into an intriguing saga.

Ok, I admit it. I love science books written for the educated layman - from "The Singularity is Near " to "Wonderful Life" to the philosophical tomes of Pagels and Hardison. But this is more than science - it is also a history of who we are and our physical, mental and dare I say it, spiritual evolution. In this sense it reminds one of "The Discoverers" by Boorstin with its chronological structure, emphasis upon individual genius and captivating storyline. Beginning with the ancients, we see how our ideas fashion our intellectual quests. The overwhelming success of Western culture depended on our ability to break with age-old traditions, to absorb ideas from the outside and most importantly, to challenge the traditional religious beliefs. Very few cultures have been able to accomplish this and their lack of scientific prowess is evidence.

The individual tales could occupy a volume themselves - mind-boggling examples of thought that are so rare we have trouble believing them. Not only are Darwin (Evolution challenged the prevailing age of the Earth) and Newton (the greatest human who ever lived?) are found but all the unknown heroes of the ages are given their due. The author has an uncanny way of simplifying tremendously dense concepts into language for the layman. This was never truer than his discussion on the weird world of quantum physics with its seemingly magical and nonsensical qualities. I would say that this should be required reading for all high school graduates except that a vast number would be bewildered by the concepts presented, unaware that science has a history of more than video games and cars. My grade - A+++

Hector Hugh Munro, who used the pen name Saki, is, along with Guy de Maupassant, O. Henry and Anton Chekhov, one of the most best writers of short stories in literature. This collection is well worth reading. I rate it at four stars because compared to the other aforementioned writers it has too narrow a focus. Saki's stories are almost unfailingly humorous and concerned with the foibles of upper middle class British society in the period from about 1890 until 1915. In this sense they lack the variety of O. Henry, the poignancy of Maupassant and the scope and harsh reality of Chekhov. The humor is also very, very British. This evaluation may be a bit unfair especially since all the other reviewers have given it 5 stars.

Having said all that, the stories are still very enjoyable and a delight to read. Many of the stories are about cynical young men, children behaving badly and often involve animals. Some are quite clever and funny in any culture. Most of them are quite short--three or four pages--and thus can be read in a brief period. One can read them while eating a meal, when riding on a bus or train, or in any situation where you have a few minutes to spare.

The book is divided into six parts, but this division is largely artificial and without real meaning. The first part (Reginald) deals with the affairs of a young man of that name. Reginald is a young man given to making sharp repartees to disrupt dinner parties. For example in the first story, which bears his name, he asks guests to their utter confusion, "What did the Caspian see?" In Reginald On Besetting Sins we find, "the cook was a good cook as cooks go; and as cooks go she went."

Part three, The Chronicles of Clovis, deals for the most part with another young man, the irrepressible Clovis, a seventeen-year-old scamp. Here we find perhaps Saki's most famous story, The Unrest Cure. Clovis is riding on a train when he overhears a man saying how boring his life is. Noting the man's address Clovis vows to make it less so. Upon arriving home the man receives a telegram saying that the bishop is coming to his house and his secretary will arrive shortly to make the arrangements. The secretary, Clovis of course, soon arrives and begins disrupting the life of the household. He informs the man that the bishop has arrived and is in the library and that the real purpose of the bishop's visit is to kill all the Jews in the town! The man is horrified and proposes to leave to get the police but Clovis tells him that the house is surrounded by people (including boy scouts!) with orders to kill anyone attempting to leave. Shortly thereafter local Jews began to show up in response to telegrams sent to them by Clovis. Chaos abounds and the man's boredom is definitely cured.

Saki's descriptions of people get right to the point: "He has delightful hair and a weak mouth. I shall take him with me to Homborg (sic) or Cairo." He describes a corpulent musician getting up from a nap thusly: "the musician's flabby redundant figure sat up in bewildered semi-consciousness like an ice cream that had been taught to beg." Then there is this description of the Salvation Army: " It was quite interesting to be at close quarters with them, they're so absolutely different to what they used to be when I first remembered them in the eighties. They used to go about unkempt and disheveled, in a sort of smiling rage with the world, and now they're spruce and jaunty and flamboyantly decorative, like a geranium bed with religious convictions."

Some of the better stories include The Lull about a politician who takes a respite from campaigning with the help of a precocious little girl; Dusk, a story about the dangers of believing people who ask you for money; The Story Teller, in which a man on a train tells a story to some children that they will never forget; Forewarned, in which a young woman who has been living isolated in a rural area all her life suddenly goes to visit in the city and finds the politics too much for her sensibilities; and Hyacinth, in which a small boy by that name disrupts an election.

The best story in my opinion is the one that isn't funny. The Image of the Lost Soul tells of a church statue (the Lost Soul) and a small bird who become friends. But there friendship proves fleeting and the church bell rings out the moral--"after joy comes sorrow." The last few stories are about war (Saki served in WW I and was killed by a sniper in 1916) and tend to be more reflective.

All in all these stories should not be missed.

For a perfect summer read try picking up an old favorite... this collection of the work of Saki (real name: Hector Hugh Munro) includes over 130 short stories, three novels and three plays and sports an introduction by Noel Coward. Though written 100 years ago, this vast body of work is amazingly fresh and contemporary. Many of the stories are under four pages long, but they manage to paint amusing pictures of the privileged class as seen through the eyes of an obviously gay, brilliant and somewhat bored young man who uses a sharp knife to pry up the upper crust and expose what's beneath. Sample the stories - his work is available on line - [.........]

Saki is the consummate stylist and chronicler of a stuffy Victorian England nearing the end of its reign and world dominance. He savors the comedy of manners with all its many class-based restrictions and inbred peculiarities and finds ways to highlight--through ironic twists of fate--the inherent and underlying pathos of a people so stuck on themselves they frequently are tripped up on their own vanities.Therein lies the "beauty" of a Saki short story: he fleshes out the quirks and peccadillos of human nature--its pomp and its farcical facets--and we come away the better (and ennobled) for it. If it's a Saki story--there's subtle mirth and magical missteps awaiting the reader.One wonders what great additions to his rather slim body of work there would've been had he not perished--fighting in the war that was supposed to end all war: World War I.... A man of "privilege" who purposely sought no special dispensation during the vicissitudes of warfare when mustard gas hung ominously in the air and men were often taken by disease sooner than they were by enemy fire. A short life it was for the "old boy," H.H. Munro...one that lives on in his brilliant body of work....Well-told tales that will live on as long as questing readers come calling at the "House of Saki."

Saki (H.H. Munro) writes with a facility and style that guides the reader unerringly to the surprise denouement in which propriety is set on its head. His bitingly clever turns of phrase are made bearable by his eagerness to challenge and thwart the norms of society.

If you like your reading to be effervescent with a bit of vinegar thrown in for effect, look no further. Saki is hilarious at his best--which is most of the time. His stories of the misadventures of his alter-ego Reginald are unsurpassed.

"The Open Window" is here-it is considered by Saki aficionados to be his best story and who am I to argue. On first reading, it has the same effect as a pail of ice water - a shock to the system, but bracing!

And for the perfect practical joke, described deliciously, do read, "Reginald's Christmas Revel." You will never look at a paper bag in quite the same way, thereafter.

Sadly, his life was cut short by the Great War. One of his own bon mots will say it all: "To die before being painted by Sargent is to go to heaven prematurely." Amen.

I have always wanted to get a copy of this particular work of MT's under one volume. This appears to be it!

It doesnt take comments from people such as myself to speak of the brilliance of Mark Twain (Samuel Clemmons). His body of work simply speaks for itself. If you are new to Twain's work I would highly reccommend that you try reading this novel first. It is short, entertaining, witty, and beautifully portreyed. This novel is worth absultely every penny you pay for it!

Stepping Off the Edge: Learning & Living Spiritual Practice

Short and very sweet. The Diaries present a charming and enlightened view of the relationship between the First Humans. Written late in Twain's life, the Diaries are considered his most personal work. Contain typical Twain wit, iconoclastic thinking and sardonic good will. Adam's later entries are believed to reflect Twain's feelings for his beloved, deceased wife, Livy. Adam and Eve's love for each other and Adam's grief for Eve moved me to tears. Beautifully illustrated.

I truly loved this book and have shared it with many people. Few books are so funny and end with such a good heartwarming message. Not everyone, I have found, thinks it is as funny as I do as their humor obviously needs a little refining. I would highly recommend this to anyone who likes to laugh, has a sharp wit, and likes the Twain type of writing style and charm it posesses.

unique and intriging. fun and fast to listen to. very creative.

This is such a sweet (and sad) book. I have it in my school library and it is a wonderful book for children to read. I love how the little boy loves his dog and the depth of his feelings. My son and I have reread it everytime we have had to say goodby to one of our beloved pets. I gave this book to our family vet recently and this is the one he liked best for his young son. I highly recommend it.

Read it cried as usual. Great for my daughter. Did not do much for me on the healing process.

Of the three books I purchased for my two young friends (boys, aged 6 and 10) who was experiencing the loss of their life-time friend, Charlie-the beagle... this was the BEST BOOK of the three.
The pictures are wonderful, the text simple but meaningful, and most of all.. it tells us all that we should love and express that love while our 'friends' are with us. "I'll Always Love You" brought tears to even the adults reading it with the children; also a good lesson that it ok to cry and grief for our four-legged friends even if we are a grownup.
I'd recommend this book for any age child.

Sweet story. The best book I've seen so far to handle, in a children's story way, the death of a dog. The kid moves on pretty fast. That was the only discordant part for me, but i think i understand where the author was going with that...we don't need things to help us remember (except for me, i have the worst memory ever). Extremely cute illustrations. I am 36 years old and I cried when I read it. I had a best pal like the kid in the book, who lived with me for 13 years until July 2007. The ham hitting the floor reminded me of my buddy. Other books I found helpful, as an adult, before and after having to choose the time and day to let my best friend go. The authors give some contacts and advice if you are hitting a wall with your grief and how to take care of yourself. The Loss of a PetandGrieving the Death of a Pet, i also saw a journal for remembering that i am planning to buy. My Personal Pet Remembrance Journal.

Wilhelm, H. (1985). I'll always love you. New York: Scholastic, Inc.

Synopsis: Can pets live forever? This is the story of a young boy and his pet dog, Elfie. Elfie and the boy do everything together. As the boy grows older, Elfie grows older at a much quicker rate. Not a night goes by when the boy tells his best friend, Elfie, how much he loves her. This is without a story for all families that have a pet. Young children learn the importance of loving and caring for their pets.

Evaluation: The concept of dying is a subject many families do not explore until the time comes when it is necessary to discuss. This gentle tale allows readers to ready their minds for the inevitable time when a family pet will pass away. Wilhelm's story provides children with positive, upbeat way to handle a difficult time in life. Young children will find the text to be heart warming and easy to understand. The watercolor illustrations are soft and cheerful which adds to tone of this story. In addition the simple illustrations provide children an uncluttered view into Elfie's world. Having a pet, is an experience many young children can relate to in today's world. Families will find joy in the humor of this story as they watch Elfie and the boy grow up. It is a charming story for any family that has both young children and pets. Wilhelm writes this story in simplistic text that allows young children to read and understand the concept of death and dying. Parents and educators will find that while the text is simple; it is a book that will allow children to open up to the process of grieving. Readers ages 4-10 will find this book appealing. This story is a bright, happy and upbeat book needed in every child's collection.

If one has read Campbell's other work, then this is like a great pick me up book. Readers who have not already experienced the scholar's work would be best served by reading those before they decide to tackle this one. It's not all too often that one comes across a book that you can't put down and I can say that this is one of the few times that I can say that. I read this in only a matter of days and would think about reading it when I didn't have time to. This collection has a very intimate feel and really gives the sense that you have almost comes across a secret journal that had been written long ago, but was written just for you. It's like having a private conversation with Campbell himself. The majority of this volume has been pulled from lectures and journals which perhaps have never been published and gives the sense that Campbell is letting you in on secrets that only few in the world have ever been gifted with, all from the comfort of your living room. As a scholarly work this doesn't hold up to "The Hero with a Thousand Faces" but as an entertaining read it is a wonderful book. Joseph Campbell the teacher gives way to Joseph Campbell, the friend. Biased as I am in that I admire him so much, I would recommend this book to any who love his ideas. It feels like a talk with an old friend, letting you in on all those little glimpses of his experiences.

"So that's what destiny is: simply the fulfillment of the potentialites of the energies in your own system." ~ Joseph Campbell from "A Joseph Campbell Companion"

This book is a must-have.

Packed with a wide range of Campbell's musings, it's the perfect introduction to the man who helped us understand the hero's journey and what it means to follow our bliss.

We are each living our own Hero's Journey in life. This book is a guide on that journey. Wonderful quotes that inspire. For the price of movie ticket, you get a weekend workshop on how to live a life that you're destined to live.

I've been a Joseph Campbell fan for years, and this book is a perfect one to give as a gift to someone who isn't quite up to reading his more scholorly works. It's a guideline for life gleaned from his in-depth study of cultural myths from which he developed his own wonderful philsophy of life.

As a fan of Joseph Campbell's writings I was excited to see a book titled "A Joseph Campbell Companion", especially prefixed by the words "Reflections on the Art of Living". It sounded like something right up my alley. How could you possibly go wrong with a title like that?
The short answer is that this book is not organized in a helpful way. I was expecting something akin to Anne Charter's "Portable Beat Reader" where each section is well organized and documented and each entry is titled and dated so you know where it came from -much like an encyclopedia. Instead what you get is a long series of sound bites and miscellaneous quotes that you have to look up in the reference pages in the rear of the book for clues as to how to put things into any sort of context. Although much of the writing is superb, it is often hard to tell where passage starts or stops.
The result makes me think of the sort of book that's good for the bathroom. You can pick it up and read a random passage and get something out of it, but reading it from front to back is often frustrating.